Control apparatus



@ l 1942 E. c. RANEY CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1.9159 2 Shevetsw'heet l M114 18 l@ MS M D 1, 1942- E. c. RANEY y 2,304,018

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Sept. 25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TI/Q 4 I" s55 sg sa /W 82 LME SEM/MJA lf B u 90`L 04 9 91 1 V F12 W0 K MNE k XNVENTR ffea/ 6. me

START 122 Patented Dec. 1, 1942 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE y coursczi'roitll'asrug vEstei C.B.ancy,0oiunibus, 0m,mhm

co Incorporated, of Ohio Columbus. Ohio, a corporation Application september as, 193s, serial No. seam 4 claims. (cl. 20a-'11s) My invention relates to control apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for controlling the starting winding circuit of an electric motor and for protecting the motor from circuit overloads.

One object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker ior an electric motor, which circuit breaker is adapted to open the motor circuit in response to a current overload in the motor and to reclose the motor circuit after a periodicilowing the opening thereof, and to provide. a

thermally operable switch for controlling the starting winding circuit of the motor. which switch is adapted to be maintained open, after the. motor is started, by an electric heater, the temperature -oi' the thermal element of the switch being controlled so that the switch will reclose upon cooling of the element, prior to the reclosing of the motor circuit by the circuit breaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch for controlling the starting winding of an electric motor, which switch is operated by a thermally actuated element that is directly heated by the initial ilow o! current through the motor circuit for. opening the switch in a relv atively short period oi time. and having an electric heater that is energized' in response lto the iiowot current through the motor during normal operation o! the motor for maintaining the thermal element heated after opening of the switch.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a switch ior controlling the starting winding circuit oi an electric motor, which switch is operated by a blmetallic elementl the element being connected in the lmotor circuit and so proportioned that the current required to start the motor will directly heat the bimetal and cause it.to open the switch within a relatively short period, and providing an electric heater connectl ed in the motor circuit for heating the bimetal during running of the motor for maintaining the switch open during running of the motor.

Still another object of the invention is to deenergire the bimetaliic element and heater when the bimetal is heated to a predetermineddegree and to reenergize the bimetaliic element and l trol apparatus connected in a motor circuit, tha

heater when the temperature of the bimetal falls y element and heater therefor;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, part of the casing being shown broken away and part shown in section, and i Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical showing of the coning a section 2i anda leg 22, issecured to the `base il for supporting parts .of the loverload switch i2. The leg 22 is secured to the base Il by a neck 28 formed thereon. which -neck is extended through the base il and turned against 'the underside thereof. The turned neck draws shoulders Il, formed by the neck 2l. into engagement with the upper side of the base so that the neck and shoulders secure the leg nrmly to the base. The section 2| is formed to normally spring upwardly. and an adjusting bolt 25 is extended through the base and is threaded in the section il for determining the positionv of the end oi the section. The head oi the bolt il is drawn into engagement with the underside of the base. A longitudinally extending opening 2t is formed in the section 2i, and V notches 21 are formed in the end edges of the opening.

A iiat lea! spring Il is supported at either' end in the notches 21. The spring il is longer than the opening 2! and the spring tends to arch or bow above or below the center ot the section 2i. When a portion of the spring is moved through the center line through the notches 21 the spring will shift its position with a snap action and tend to bow in the opposite direction. Preferably the ends oi the spring Ill are beveled to form kniie edge bearing points so that the spring may readily iiex.

An arm Il is loosely pivoted on the frame 2l by a neck Il formed on the arm. which neck is extended through an opening II formed through the leg 22. 'Ihe neck 3l is turned downwardly slightly to prevent accidental removal oi' the neck through the opening. The opposite end -i of the ann' Il is turned upwardly as at Il and an opening ll is formed therethrough. The spring Il extends through the opening 30 and the opening is formed to provide substantial clearance between thespring and the edges thereof for providing alost motion connection between the arm and the spring.

An insulating plate 42.y one end ot a bimetal strip Il and a metal plate Il are secured to the ann 34 by rivets l1. 'I'he insulating 'plate I2 extends laterally with respect to the arm 84 and a metal terminal plate Il is attached to the plate l! by ears Il formed cn the plate Il. one of which bracket 'Ill to the trame.

is silver soldered at one end l1 to the metal plate Il and the other end oi the heating element 5I is soldered to oneof the ears Il of the terminal plate Il. The heating element 5l extends directly under the bimetal Il.

A contact ll is secured to the bimetal strip M adjacent the end thereof, and when the bimetal is cool. the contact il engages a iixed contact t0 mounted on a bracket 0|. The bracket Il is formed in a U shape and is secured to the base I8 by lugs 62 formed on the ends of the legs oi the bracket, which lugs extend through the base and are turned to engage the underside of the base. The edges of the lugs l2 are threaded to receive a terminal screw I3. I'he end I4 oi the bimetal strip u is turned upwardly for engaging the frame 2l to limit upward-movement oi' the end oi. the strip. I'he bimetal strip Il is adapted to bow upwardly when the strip is heated, and when cool. the bimetal ls straight, as shown in Fig. 3. When the bimetal M bows the end oi the arm Il is raised to cause the spring Il to tend to bow upwardly with a snap action and quickly draw the arm Il and bimetal u upwardly so that the upturned end of the bimetal will engage the frame and open the contacts It and il. The arm 34 prevents complete reversal oi the bow of the spring. When the bimetal cools, it draws the end of the arm Il downwardly and causes the spring to bow downwardly and move the arm and bimetal downwardly with a -snap movement and close the contacts Il and Il.

Thestarting circuit controlling device Il ispositioned adjacent the overload device l2. A metal bracket il issecured at one end of the base il by a pair oi' spaced lugs 11 and 1l that are extended through the base and turned` against the underside thereof. The turned lugs draw shoulders 14 against the top o! the base and the shoulders and lugs rigidly secure the The lugs 12 and 'Il are threaded to receive a terminal screw 1I. The portion of the bracket adjacent the base is iurcated to receive the screw 1I. extending section 18 is normally biased upwardly and an adjusting screw 11 is extended through the base il and threaded in the end o! the section Il to determine the position of the end of the section 1l. The head oi the adjusting screw 11 is inset in the base as shown at 1I;

A bimetallic strip Il isriveted at one` end to the bracket 1l by rivets Il, a washer plate 82 being provided between the bimetal and rivet heads. A contact Il is secured at the opposite end of the strip Il and this contact is adapted to be engaged by a contact 84 carried on the end of a bimetallic strip Il. The contacts Il and Il comprise the starting winding switch. The strip gi is secured at its other end to a metal bracket u. 'niemmcxet u is formed having twcv im 8! and Il and a platform il to which the strip BI is attached. The ends of the legs I3 and Il extend through the base il and are turned against the underside oi the base to secure the bracket thereto. l

A bracket Il, similar to the bracket Il, is seto the bracket il and a terminal screw Il is threaded in the lugs l1. The bracket Il carries a contact Il that is positioned immediately below the end of the strip II. A contact il is secured on the underside of the strip I6 for engaging the contact Il.

A conductor strip ill is attached 'at one end to the end of the bimetal strip Il and the opposite end oi the metal strip l" is connected to the terminal plate Il. The strip I is shaped sinuously for providing a connection with the bimetal Il that will be flexible and which will not interiere with free movement of the bimetal.

A resistance wire or heater element ill is connected between the brackets and Il and is disposed immediately beneath the bimetal strip Il. v

The casing Il is formed by a metal sheet iil formed in a U shape. Longitudinally extending grooves III are formed in the opfomte sides oi lilie casing for receiving the side edges of the base plates H2, which plates are formed having a turned ilange around the edges that overlaps thev end edges oi the casing. The plates Il! are secured to the casing by ears lil, that are formed on the ends ot the casing and which ears extend through slits in the plates il! and are turned against the outside of the plates. The end plates Il! are formed with inwardly extending lugs III that receive the end edges o! the base il. The grooves ill and lugs ill prevent warping of the base il to insure proper operation o! the apparatus. Mounting lugs III are formed on the plates Ii! and a slot lil tor/receiving a moimting bolt is formed in each lug. Openings lil are'iormed in each side oi the casing ior admitting circuit wires to the interior oi' the casing.

Referring to Fig. 4, the control apparatus il is illustrated connected in the circuit of an electric motor III. The motor |20 includes a run- I ning winding ill and a starting winding ill.

The longitudinally Current is supplied to the motor III through line wires |24 and |25.

The running winding circuit is traced from line I2l, winding ill, wire In, terminal Il,

bracket M, resistance wire l, bracket Il, bla metal strip Il. conductor strip III, terminal plate Il, resistance wire Il, bimetal strip Il, contacts l and Il', bracket Il to line wire III.

The starting winding circuit is traced from line III, winding |22, wire |11. terminal 1l, bracket 1|, bimetal strip Il, contacts Il and Il. conductor Ill, and through the overload device i2, 'as described with reference to the running winding circuit, to line lll.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

' When the lines I and |28 are energized, both 'cured to the base by lugs l1 in a manner similar 75 the running and starting winding circuits are energized and. until the motor has attained its normal running speed, the now of current through motor will be heavy. The bimetal strip Il is proportioned so that the initial heavy ilow o! current through the circuit will heat the bimetal and cause the same to deilect downwardly and open the starting winding circuit switch contacts l! and. in one second, for example, the time normally required for the motor to attain running speed. The now of current lthrough the bimetal It during normal running of the motor will notheat the' bimetal suillciently to maintain the starting switch open during running of the motor. The heater i, however, is proportioned to be heated suiilciently by the ilow of current through the lmotor during normal operation thereof to The ends oi the casing are closed by end heat the bimetal for maintaining the starting winding switch open.

The temperature of the bimetal 86 is limited, during running o! the motor, by closing ci' the contacts 98 and 99, by the bimetal 8i when it is deflected by the heat oi the resistance IM, thereby shunting the bimetal I6 and heater IM out of circuit. The heater is reenergizecl when the bimetal 86 cools and separates the contacts 98 and 99. This limiting of the temperature oi' the bimetal causes the bimetal 86 to close the starting switch contacts 83 and 84 within a short time after the motor circuit is deenergized so that the starting winding circuit will be closed and ready for restarting of the motor.

The bimetal strip 80 varies the position of the contact 83 with the changes in ambient temperature so that the bimetallic element will open the starting circuit switch in the same time period regardless p of the ambient temperature. The strip 8i! is adapted to ilex ln the same direction as the strip 8B on changes in ambient tempera.- ture. The bimetal 80, however, is practically un.- aifected by current iiowing therethrough.

In the event o! an abnormal ilow oi current,

through the motor for any reason, the heater I is adapted to heat the bimetal strip M and cause the latter to bow upwardly and operate the spring 30 to open the contacts Il and il as described above. When the motor circuit is opened the heater 56 is deenergized and the bimetal strip Il cools to operate the spring I0 to reclose the contacts 58 and 60 for reenergizing the motor circuit. The spring 30 prc'fides a snap acting device for the switch contacts 58 and n and the force required to actuate the spring by the bimetal strip M imposes a time lag between opening and closing oi' the switch. During the interval between the opening and recling o! theV motor circuit, the starting winding switch contacts 83 and 84 will be reclosed due to the ready cooling o! the bimetall II. Thus when the motor is deenergized by the overload device l2, the starting winding control device I4 will reclose the starting winding circuit in advance of the reclosing of the motor circuit.

The time within which the starting winding control switch will open may be adjusted, within limits, by turning the screw 11. This raises or lowers the section 16 of the bracket 1I to raise or lower the end oi' the bimetal 80. If the opening time is to be shortened, the section 16 is raised so that the bimetal Il will separate the contacts 83 and Il at a lower temperature. I! it is desired to increase the time in 'which the overload switch is opened the section 2l of the bracket 20 is raised by adjusting the screw 2l.. This requires the bimetal u to bow to a greater extent before the spring 3l will operate to open the switch. The closing period of the overload device may be controlled by adjusting the angle of the -upturned end of the bimetal u. It a longer closing period is desired, the end il is turned to form a greater angle with the strip il so that the end oi' the strip will raise higher.

While the form oi embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a pref ferred form, it is to be understood-that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope ci the claims which follow.

I claim: 1. A switching mechanism comprising in combinatlon, a frame: a snap acting device supported on the frame; a bimetal strip; means pivotally supporting the bimetal strip at one end thereof; means interconnecting the bimetal strip and the snap acting device for causing said strip to actuate the snap device and said device to move said strip about thepivot for the, latter with a snap movement; means forming' anabutrnent be tween the free end of the strip and the'frame for limiting snap movement of the strip in one direction; means forming a stop for limiting movement of the strip by said device in the direction opposite the ilrst mentioned direction; means for adjusting the position of theframe relative to the last mentioned stop; and a switch member connected with the-free end of the bimetal.

2. A switching mechanism comprising in mme-*f snap movement; means forming an abutment between the free end of the strip and the trame for limiting snap movement of the strip in one direction; a contact member carried by the free end oi the bimetal; al contact member fixed relative to the first mentioned contact and engage- -able by the latter, the second mentioned contact member forming a stop for limiting movement of the bimetal .strip in a direction opposite the first mentioned direction; and means for adjusting the position of the frame relative to the second mentioned contact. -v

3. A switching mechanism' comprising in com` bination, a snap acting mechanism including. a member capable of movement form one position toward another position gradually and after a predetermined movement movable to said other position with a snap movement; a bimetal strip pivotally supported at one end; means forming a stop against which the bimetal is engageable; means for interconnecting said movable member with the bimetal for causing the bitmetal, when bowed by change in temperature thereof, to move said member gradually from said one position toward said other position and cause snap movement oi' said member to said other position whereby said member moves the bimetal about its pivot and from said stop with a snap move y ment; and a switch member connected with the free end of the bimetal strip.

4. A switching mechanism comprising in combination, a snap acting mechanism including. a member capable of movement from one position toward another position gradually and after a predetermined movement movable to said other position with a snap movement; a bimetal strip pivotally supported at. one end; a contact mem-ia ber mounted on said bimetal strip; a iixed con= tact member engageable by the ilrst mentioned contact member and forming a stop against which the bimetal is engageable; means for ire terconning said movable member with the biu metal for causing the bimetal, when bowed by changes in temperature, to move said member gradually from said one position toward said other position and cause snap movement ci' said vmember whereby said member moves the bimetal ESTEL C. RANEY. 

